Thread protector



Aug. 31, 1926. 1,597,869

| R. QUINN THREAD PROTECTOR Filed Jan. 2, 1926 N. xolww,

land consequently it is PatentedliAug'. 31, 1926.

UNITED STAT LAW'IRTENGE R. QUINN, 0F PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA.

THREAD PROTECTOR..

Application led January This invention relates to thread protectors which are adapted to be used in connection with threaded shafts, rods, pipes and the like for the purpose lof covering the threads thereof to protect them against damage while being shipped or otherwise handled;

Thread protectors are merely accessories highly desirable to make them as cheap as is consistent with their function. In addition to this it is highly desirable, if not absolutely necessary from the commercial standpoint, to cheapen the the operation ofl installing them on the pipes, etc. with which -they are used. It has been the practice to employ cheap labor for this purpose and while thread protectors known to me are effective, if properly installed, it has been the experience of manufacturers that such protectors are in fact not effective because of the careless way they are installedon the threads, which either results in the injury of the protector or in their falling off while the articles equipped with them are in transit.

An object of this invention is to provide a device of the type setl forth of such construction and arrangement as to permit easy and rapid application thereof to a threaded article but which at the same time will be so securely held thereon as to render accidental removal impossible.

A further object of the type set forth which will be effectivel in operation and simple and cheap to manufacture.

rIhese and other objects which will be apparent to those skilled in this particular art are accomplished by mea-ns of this invention, one embodiment of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which Figure I is a sectional view of one form of this invention, showing the, same applied to the threads of a ipe. Fig. 2 is asectional view of a modified form of the device. Fig. 3 is an elevation of the protector shown in Figure 1 and Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2 illustrating a further modification of the invention.

The particular embodiment of this invention which has been chosen for the purposes of illustration includes an annular metal sheath or shell 5 which is adapted to cover the threads of the article to which the protector is applied. One end of the shell is bent so as to form an annularshoulder 6,

is to provide a device F 2, 1926. Serial No. 78,800.

and one or more teeth 7 are formed at any ldesired points around the opposite end of the shell. The form of the invention illustrated in Figs.. 1 and 3 is provided with a single tooth while the forms shown in Figs. 2 and 4 are provided with two teeth. 0bfviously any desired number of teeth may be used although one is generally sutlicient.

One of the functions of the teeth 7 is to cooperate with the annular shoulder 6 in holding a soft lining 8 in position within the shell to engage the threads 9 of the article to which the protector is applied. The lining is of any desired, relatively soft material which will not injure the threads and which will absorb any ordinary blow -to which the protector is subjected.

A second annular shoulder l() is formed concentric with the shoulder 6 for the purpose of abutting against the end of the article when the protector is applied thereto so as to properly -position the protector there- .on. Obviously, the shoulder 10 may be formed by merelyl extending the flange forming the shoulder 6 instead of arching it as illustrated in the present drawings.

The end of the shell having the shoulders 6 and 7 may be closed by a partition 11 when it is desired to exclude dirt or other foreign matter from the interior of a hollow article. When, however, this is not necessary the partition 11 may be eliminated as shown 1n 'he teeth 7 cooperate with the shoulder 6 in retaining the lining 8 in position since they are bent back so as to partially enfold the edge and hold it against lateral as well as longitudinal displacement. They also form, in effect, ratchet teeth which engage the threads of the article and hold the protector in place thereon against any accidental removal. The device is applied by merely pushing it on to the end of the threaded article so that the teeth 7 will rideor ratchet over the threads 9. The ratchet teeth are formed so that they extend both inwardly toward the center of the protector and at an acute reentrant angle with relation to the shell. With this arrangement the protector may be readily pushed to place on the vention as appliedto an article having eX- ternal teeth it will, of course, be apparent that it is equally applicable to protecting internal threads.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

A threadeprotector comprising a metallic ring having an annular shoulder formed at one end, a soft lining for said ring adapted l0 to engage the threads of an article on which the ring is mounted and a lug formed nte- Cil grally with the opposite end of said ring at an acute re-entrant-angle thereto, engagin said lining to hold it in place against sai shoulder and projecting past said linin and into engagement with the threads o the article on which the ring is mounted. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 31st day of December, 1925. t

LAWRENCE R. QUIN N 

